IT’S SIMPLY NOT FAIR TO CUT THE WAGES OF SOME OF AUSTRALIA’S LOWEST PAID WORKERS

People that rely on penalty rates rely on this money to pay the bills and to raise their children.

A devastating decision has been made that will see a cut to the penalty rates for hospitality, retail and fast food workers.

Make no mistake, the only reason this decision was made is because Malcolm Turnbull and his Government have been campaigning for penalty rates to be cut. They wear the blame for this decision.

Labor does not support this incredibly disappointing decision and we will continue to defend the lowest paid workers in this country.

We are greatly concerned about who else will have their penalty rates attacked. Will nurses or emergency workers be next?

We need to stand together and protect those in our community who will be badly impacted by this penalty rate cut.

Can you sign and tell Malcolm Turnbull to stand up for workers for once in his life? Tell Turnbull to join with Labor to protect the wages and conditions of the lowest paid workers.

Optional email code

￼WHY IS EVERYONE TALKING ABOUT PENALTY RATES?

Penalty rates are increased rates of pay for working overtime or unsociable hours.

Life is busy, and weekends are important for Australian workers. Penalty rates compensate people for the time they miss out on spending with their families when they have to work on the weekend.

There are up to 4.5 million workers who rely on penalty rates. Workers like police officers, firefighters, paramedics, nurses, retail workers, hospitality workers, workers in manufacturing, in tourism and many other sectors.

So what's the issue? Penalty rates are being cut because of the Liberals.

The argument is that cafes and shops are closed because penalty rates are too high. But there is almost no evidence to support this. Productivity Commission Executive Manager Ralph Lattimore was asked in Parliament if he shared former Treasurer Joe Hockey’s view that penalty rates are “profit murder for small business” he said the following: